Dainty Smith, ‘The Church Lady Gone Bad’, is a Toronto based burlesque performer, curator, actress and writer. In 2010 she founded Les Femmes Fatales, ‘Canada’s first burlesque troupe for Black women and femmes and gender non conforming persons’, as seen on CBC Arts: The Exhibitionists. She was recently announced as a 2025 Sassy Lassy Award recipient by the Burlesque Hall of Fame.
Here’s her 21.
1. How would you define yourself in three words?
Storyteller, dreamer, late bloomer.
2. Who would play you in a movie about your life?
I have never thought about this before. I can’t think of anyone. But I’m sure there must be a slightly too serious, ex-church, vintage, red lipstick wearing Black lady out there somewhere.
3. What is your biggest strength?
My willingness to try, no matter the odds or if I end up looking ridiculous. I am willing to try and try again at artmaking, creating and performing. I apply that approach to my life overall. Even if I hit a wall, or life makes it hard, or things fall apart, I will pick myself up again and keep on truckin’.
4. What is your biggest weakness?
I hate admitting it but I still haven’t got over being ’late’ at art, success, at life. For the most part I’ve made my peace with being a late bloomer, but sometimes it still feels like I’m playing catch-up. That, and I can be a bit stubborn!
5. When are you most happy and inspired?
When I see great art – whether it’s film, dance or writing – by someone Black or a person of colour, queer or trans, woman or femme. It’s so inspiring and reminds me to keep doing my own artwork. This world isn’t made for marginalised folks; there’s too much in the way. There are so many systemic barriers, obstacles and pushback against our existence and our artwork. We’re not set up to succeed and it gives me so much joy when one of us makes it.
6. What is your favourite on-screen burlesque moment from film or TV?
It would be Eartha Kitt as Catwoman on the television show Batman. It may not classify as burlesque, but every movement she made, the way she held her body, her famous voice, left a lasting impression on me.
7. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Stop trying to compartmentalise yourself; bring all of who you are to the art that you’re making.
8. If you could switch lives with one person for a day, who would it be?
It’s a tie between Solonge and Wunmi Mosaku.
9. What’s the biggest myth or misconception about burlesque?
That we’re rich. I once had someone ask me how many suitcases of money I make per show.
10. If you could only perform to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Hold On by Alabama Shakes.
11. What surprisingly useful things do you have in your show case?
Extra underwear.
12. Do you have a backstage ritual?
I always put my red lipstick on last.
13. What advice would you give to new performers starting out today?
Trust yourself and make the artform your own.
14. What is your proudest achievement?
I am still here.
15. What is your biggest regret?
No regrets. I really like this unconventional life that I carved out for myself. I grew up in the church and I wasn’t encouraged to choose such a sexual, sensual, theatrical and creative life. I chose it anyway.
16. What is the biggest challenge facing today’s burlesque scene?
Burlesque is still not seen as a legitimate art. It’s still not considered ‘real’ or fine art in terms of dance and performance. This is frustrating as it becomes an obstacle when applying for art funding. The arts sector needs to broaden its scope of dance, performance, and what art is. I would like burlesque to receive the same level of respect that ballet and contemporary dance receives.
17. If you could go back and tell yourself one thing when you started out in burlesque, what would it be?
It’s going to take a lot of soft stubbornness and grit. Some of this artwork is really hard. Trust your instincts and believe in your vision anyway.
18. What is a cause or issue that’s very important to you?
I want more diversity in all forms of arts and entertainment. I want Black women and femmes to have decision making power and star power, because our stories are powerful. Art and stories are how we can come together and see the humanity in each other. Intersectionality, reflection, and uncomfortable but healing conversations can arise from watching great art. We need more access, spaces and resources to be able to make our art.
19. What are you currently reading, watching, and listening to?
I’m currently reading Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley, and I’m watching re-runs of Abbott Elementary. I have been listening to a lot of Sade and Gregory Alan Isakov, which is a very weird music mix, I know.
20. If you could share a dressing room with one performer for the rest of your career, who would it be?
Lou Lou la Duchesse de Riere. She’s an incredible performer and the just the loveliest person.
21. What would you like your life and career to look like in 10 years time?
I would like it to be in three parts: an actress telling great and complex stories, a curator still curating burlesque and performance art, and a writer. I’ve got some strange stories I want to tell.
Follow Dainty Smith on Instagram and visit her website. Her next Femmes Fatale show is on June 18th.